Don't Underestimate MC-W

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 11:11 am

If I were to take a poll on favorite theaters of war, I'm sure the East Front would take first place. Perhaps that is rightfully as it should be. Hopefully the world will never see such a massive bloodbath as that ever again.

Still it happened. And through gaming we share some of those experiences. But don't underestimate what went on in the Pacific either. Millions died there too.

The campaign for Guadalcanal was small next to many other battles in the east and west. But the battle for that island set the pace for the war in the far east.

The Mega Campaign - Watchtower I honestly feels captures more of the fighting spirit of that time than most. A very talented team put in many, many hours to prepare some very unique situations, recreations of history that will give you a better understanding of what happened there.

It is not all "Banzai" charges by any means. There are dozens of different situations here that will intrigue and challenge you.

By all means enjoy the others but I hope in the near future you will give this campaign a try. It is both a fun experience and a great learning experience. A lot of documentation is there to widen your understanding of that war.

It's a good buy. Once you start, you won't let it just sit on your computer. Trust me on this.

Wild Bill

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 11:22 am

Having had something to do with Watchtower, I am quick to second what Wild Bill has said about the nature of the fights you will encounter.

We spent many hours and hundreds of sizzling emails hashing out, arguing, pursuading, cajoling just trying to come up with different sorts of situations.

Some of the scenarios were re-done several times. Some were tossed out and started anew. We did not, to my knowledge, ever take a shortcut just to get the scenario finished and on to the next.

Each scenario was tested, checked, cross-checked.

We probably missed a few things, but I'll wager, "NOT MANY".

I have still not had the opportunity to see the entire M/C so I am waiting to see how it strikes the gamers out there.

So one of these fine days, I will be fighting my way through the mountains and valleys of Guadalcanal right along with you.

skukko · Post by **skukko** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 1:48 pm

Hello <img src="smile.gif" border="0">

From what I've heard; it is fun and hard... only thing that ain't in the game is insects and smell of the jungle.

mosh

gnoccop · Post by **gnoccop** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 3:13 pm

If I can download from Matrix at 24.99$ I'll buy it.

Never played in the Pacific, but I'm interested in the documentation with the MC-W, and also I want try some jungle fighting!

IKerensky · Post by **IKerensky** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 4:11 pm

try www.duchet.com
This shop have it ,and it is un UK, it usually ship to France and UK for free. Dont know for Italy but it deserve a try, after all you are in Maastricht zone too <img src="tongue.gif" border="0">

Jasper · Post by **Jasper** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 4:20 pm

Bought it <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">
and playing it <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Don Doom · Post by **Don Doom** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 4:23 pm

Originally posted by Redleg:
Having had something to do with Watchtower, I am quick to second what Wild Bill has said about the nature of the fights you will encounter.

We spent many hours and hundreds of sizzling emails hashing out, arguing, pursuading, cajoling just trying to come up with different sorts of situations.

Some of the scenarios were re-done several times. Some were tossed out and started anew. We did not, to my knowledge, ever take a shortcut just to get the scenario finished and on to the next.

Each scenario was tested, checked, cross-checked.

We probably missed a few things, but I'll wager, "NOT MANY".

I have still not had the opportunity to see the entire M/C so I am waiting to see how it strikes the gamers out there.

So one of these fine days, I will be fighting my way through the mountains and valleys of Guadalcanal right along with you.

Morning Redleg.
I will second than with a 21 motar sulute. I had helped with it's making and as dence as I am about the pacific war Wild Bill and my team captain had alot of patence and help me to build some interesting battles which I am also waiting to play through and to see how everyone else likes the campaign or campain as I use to call them <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

richmonder · Post by **richmonder** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 5:43 pm

Well, WBW, I know I'll be getting it. And I am intriqued to see what the Pacific is about. I am sure it's a good bit more tense than the East in certain senses, what with the Nippon attacks and all.

Still, the release of two MC's back to back (as far as availability) almost dooms MC-W to run behind MCLV, because as you said the Eastern Front is the biggie. I will assume that MC-W will pick up sales after people have hammered a bit through MCLV.

Les_the_Sarge_9_1 · Post by **Les_the_Sarge_9_1** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 7:02 pm

Is there such a thing a "bad" Mega Campaign?

Only thing keeping me from trying Watchtower, is Matrix isnt handing them out like cookies I guess. Sure hope its still around when I recover economically from getting Lost Victories.

Man I sure wish people would stop whining about getting it as a purchased download though. I think Matrix has already made it clear everywhere else in the forum, there is no interest in putting it up as a purchased download. No way to ensure your "download" is successful, no way to track it, nothing physical to warrantee, in short, its a dumb way to get it.

Any that want to get a Mega Campaign, are just going to have to accept that if you live outside of the US, your getting it is either going to hurt economically, or you are going to have to use your noodle to invent a way to circumvent all the hassle.

Its not up to Matrix.

All I want from Matrix is a good product. All the rest of the aquisition process is the responsiblility of the fan.

ZinZan · Post by **ZinZan** » Tue Jan 22, 2002 7:29 pm

I have just got both MCW & MCLV, I'm playing neither right now (too busy with email games), but have played a few games on Combat Command as the Japanese in the current league. I must admit to finding the Far East a revelation; there is much more dependance on sound tactics rather than equipment. Infantry is MUCH more important, but a few AFV's can tip the balance (if deployed effectively). This theatre is fascinating due to some very noticeble imbalences in equipment and continues to keep me thoroughly interested.

In short I am really looking forward to playing Watchtower as I think it will push me further as a commander than the more "normal" campaigns.

bobaloo000 · Post by **bobaloo000** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 10:38 am

I'd love to be playing Watchtower, but mine came in three pices and David Heath has not responded to my e-mails.

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 12:03 pm

Thank you, all of you. These are greatly encouraging comments. DD, you did a great job on the Ilu River...bloody as you want it.

It is a unique campaign, one you will enjoy. The documentation is worth it, plus the fun and challenge of the battle.

Its here for you when you are ready.

Babaloo, write the help desk. Do it right away, now if you can. Send your request directly to them. Daniel Heath is working hard to satisfy all Matrix patrons. He is listening ... er, reading.

Here is the URL. Get that note off to him at once.

http://www.matrixgames.com/store/help.asp

You will get attention and service here. I'm really sorry about the 3 part CD.

Wild Bill

TheZel66 · Post by **TheZel66** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 8:58 pm

cant wait to play watchtower, WB. now if only the store can give me the right game this time.. i ordered MC-W, only to get the ordered messed up twice!!!

<img src="confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="confused.gif" border="0"> <img src="confused.gif" border="0">

Redleg · Post by **Redleg** » Wed Jan 23, 2002 11:23 pm

Well, my WT campaign is enroute - so I'll soon be able to defend Henderson field, send the Raiders on a spoiling "long march" mission, do some rescue operations, raid Japanese supply depots, and so on.

Really looking forward to it.

BjörnR · Post by **BjörnR** » Thu Jan 24, 2002 12:52 am

Just started to fight my way trough the desert, and then, if I survive, I will be sent to the east front just to loose victories.
Where to find the time to struggle through the jungle too?
Despite the fact that I play games on the computer I only have one life and one wife!

Wild Bill · Post by **Wild Bill** » Thu Jan 24, 2002 2:47 am

Bjorn, you get into Russia, you'll never get out. Ask the Wehrmacht <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

The Tour of Duty on the Canal is shorter...maybe not easier, but shorter <img src="wink.gif" border="0">

Bring your War Widow with you. She'll love the tropical paradise known as Guadalcanal. Ask a Marine <img src="biggrin.gif" border="0">

Wild Bill

magresh · Post by **magresh** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 12:32 am

I have been fortunate enough to have been able to order and receive all three mega campaigns.
I loaded them and started all three at once, alternating battles or fighting a few and then jumping to another campaign. They are all fun.
A tank battle has a charm of its own, but for me the infantry battle is the most varied in its choice of tactics and equipment and so fulfilling when you have accomplished the objectives and seen your men survive with as few casualties as possible. The Watchtower mega campaign is the most fun and the most challenging I have had in wargaming in thirty years.

Thanks
Magresh

Neil Stalker · Post by **Neil Stalker** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 12:54 am

Great to hear your loving MC-W, I worked on design and writing on all 3 MCs and got to admit it was my favourite.

I know all the team would like to hear your impressions of how you found the battles etc or even an After Action Report.

Thanks for purchasing the MCs. and enjoy the years of gaming they can give you.

WW2'er · Post by **WW2'er** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 1:05 am

Hi All!

I received the MC-W yesterday and started it last night. I was very surprised when I won a bronze star for "Winning" the "Opening Battle". (Which is really just deciding which beach to attack.) Rather strange start, but I'm enjoying my first true battle.

WW2'er

magresh · Post by **magresh** » Fri Jan 25, 2002 3:08 am

I'll work on an after action report over this coming weekend and post it next week. The taking of Gavutu-Tanambogo took a lot of thought and was the first so I'll start with that. I concentrate not on the victory conditions so much as the number of casualties my units take to complete the mission. Sometimes that means I don't get a victory or even a draw, but I feel the battle more and my units survive to gain the experience. Instead of being just pieces to move around, I treat it more like it was a role playing game and the units come alive.
Till then
Magresh